Merapi Mountain (Gunung Merapi) is the most active volcano on Sumatra island (50 eruptions since 18th century). Its elevation is 2,891 m. It is located near the centre of Minangkabau culture – Bukittinggi.
Merapi Mountain is the most important mountain for Minangkabau people. In Tambo (Minang literature) it is told that first people arrived to West Sumatra when all the Earth was covered by sea. They landed on the only piece of land that juts out of the water – the top of Merapi Mountain. In the region, you can find a lot of burial stones oriented in the direction of Merapi mountain. This fact shows her spiritual and cultural importance.
There is two ways to the top. We recommend starting climbing in early morning from Koto Baru, which you can reach from Bukittinggi. Through a rainforest you arrive to the part with sparse vegetation where a beautiful view will open in front of your eyes. You can see the opposite Singgalang Mountain, Padang Panjang and Bukittinggi towns. After this the rocky part starts and it is useful to make a tent under the rocks and spent a night there, before the hike to the top. The second day in the morning you reach the main crater and the 4 peaks of the volcano. Except of the main crater full of smoke you can see a lot of smaller craters.
After passing this area you arrive to the so called “Edelweiss gardens”. Edelweiss flower is a symbol of endless love for Minangkabau girls. From this point, there is a wonderful view on the Maninjau Lake and Indian Ocean. Than you go through the fern vegetation to the rainforest level again. In the afternoon you arrive to Pariangan village.
